The occurrence of depression and alteration in lifestyle in five patients with leukemia or lymphoma receiving chemotherapy regimens that included high-dose glucocorticosteroids was studied over a period of 6 months. According to the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, all five patients taking their steroids in daily divided doses became depressed within 2–5 days after abruptly discontinuing the drug. These symptoms resulted in a marked change in lifestyle for all patients. When the steroid doses were taken on a daily every-morning schedule or tapered before discontinuance, only one of the five patients reported symptoms of depression and a marked change in lifestyle. Consistent nursing interventions provided throughout the 6 months included emotional support, education, and realistic goal-setting. Despite the small population size, these findings suggest that the occurrence of depressive symptoms and alterations in lifestyle may be related to high-dose glucocorticosteroid scheduling, which demands recognition and further study in order to help the cancer patient maintain a positive self-esteem and activities of daily living.